Review: Children of Blood and Bone

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Series: Legacy of Orisha
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Maturity Level: 4+
View on Goodreads
Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

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Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

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WOW. Children of Blood and Bone creates a fantasy universe unlike anything I’ve ever seen before while telling a story that feels as old as time. It was dark and gritty, but with a profound sense of purpose. I feel like this is the kind of book that could change the world.

Can a Book Really Inspire Change?

It’s the 21st century, and we all know how this little dance goes. Finish book. Feel inspired. Exclaim “MY LIFE IS SO CHANGED!!!!” Then do nothing.

We all have those books, the ones that really made us understand something important, or feel inspired to bring change, or that made us feel like we could make a difference. In the acknowledgements for Children of Blood and Bone Tomi Adeyemi even had a call to action to go do something. And yet, is it just me, or are we not doing anything?

I think that it’s easier to feel inspired than it is to act. Especially because a lot of times a book doesn’t actually tell you what to do. A lot of the social issues that are so important to so many Americans right now just don’t leave us with that many options. Yeah, we can vote, and yeah we can march, but not TODAY. And yeah, we can tweet, but what is that really doing anyway? Maybe a book leaves you feeling inspired that you can do something to change the world. And then maybe you try to go do something and can’t figure out what to do after all. And then a few days go by, then a few weeks, and next thing you know you aren’t so inspired anymore.

So did anything really change?

The Burnout Solution

I’ve noticed in the last couple weeks that I’m getting pretty burnt out on young-adult books. I’ve always said that it’s not my favorite genre, but I also feel like it’s one of the most exciting genres. It’s definitely the genre that book bloggers promote the most! As a result there are ALWAYS more YA books that I want to read.

So here I am, reading more YA. And getting pretty burnt out.

I’ve also noticed how badly I’ve neglected some of my favorite genres. I’ve only read one classic this year, and my SciFi shelf is depressingly empty. I always tell my dad, an ardent SciFi lover, that I just have a hard time finding SciFi that appeals to me, but the truth is I rarely take the time to look. It’s easier to just pick up that YA book everyone is hyping. Even though I’m probably going to hate it because I’m so burnt out… Whatever, it’s EASIER!

Mid-Year Freak Out Tag – 2018 Edition

I did this tag last year, and I was so much fun! It was maybe the first book tag I ever did? Can’t remember for sure… Anyway, I was surprised to see it going around again this year. Does it make the rounds every year? I wouldn’t know, I guess I’m still a bit of a book blogging newbie. 🙂

Anywho, after seeing it on a couple of blogs, I decided to tag myself. Which, I am happy to say, Kay at Hammock of Books invited me to do, so there.

Best Book You’ve Read so far in 2018

Hands down, no contest, The Goblin Emperor. I would just set it down every ten pages or so and yell “This book is SO GOOD!!!” then go back to reading it. If you like fantasy and you haven’t read it, you MUST!